Tag Archives: birding

A Diminished Thing

Posted on September 23, 2022 by rivertoprambles

On the last full day of summer, I experienced a somewhat inspirational event. It was a simple event but one that I could not have known earlier this year, prior to surgery on my spine in August. My brother and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged birding, camping, hiking, Loyalsock Creek, poetry, Robert Frost, The Oven Bird, Time, World's End State Park, writing | 18 Comments

Newfoundland, Part 4, Conclusion

Posted on July 23, 2022 by rivertoprambles

First of all, we boarded ship with about 30 other passengers at O’Brien’s Boat Tours for a two-hour ride on the Atlantic in search for whales and puffins. Back at St. Johns, the manager at our boarding house had told … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Atlantic, birding, boating, dolphins, family, nature, Newfoundland, puffins, Screech, Screeched-in, travel, whales, writing | 20 Comments

Newfoundland, Part 3

Posted on July 22, 2022 by rivertoprambles

On our trans-island route to the eastern peninsulas of Newfoundland, we passed a lot of tempting trout and salmon rivers. Eventually we would meet Atlantic Dave, a white-haired boat tour captain and a former teacher now living in Terwillengate, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Atlantic Ocean, birding, boating, culture, eagles, family, fishing, guiding, nature, Newfoundland, travel | 14 Comments

Newfoundland, Part 2

Posted on July 20, 2022 by rivertoprambles

The Tablelands at Gros Morne National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), north of Corner Brook (see map), are dry red-rock formations uplifted from the Earth’s mantle. The natural mineral, periditite, is poisonous for most vegetation, with a few exceptions. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged birding, boating, camping, fishing, Gros Morne NP, hiking, nature, Newfoundland, photograpy, Pissing Mare Falls, Tablelands, travel, writing | 15 Comments

Newfoundland, Part 1

Posted on July 17, 2022 by rivertoprambles

The long drive north from Rhode Island to the Nova Scotia ferry crossing was a difficult journey for a guy with upcoming back surgery, but the overall trip was wonderful. With my wife and my daughter catching up on sleep … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged birding, Canada, dining, fishing, Gros Morne N.P., hiking, nature, Newfoundland, puffins, Tablelands, travel | 27 Comments

Cloud Forest/ Coffee House (Costa Rica #4)

Posted on September 17, 2021 by rivertoprambles

[For this fourth and final post directly relating to a recent trip to Costa Rica, I’m departing from a previous chronological narrative and incorporating a thematic approach including cloud-forest hikes and patio meditations. I hope that you’ve enjoyed the tour….] … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged biodiversity, birding, cloud forest, Costa Rica #4, hiking, hummingbirds, Monteverde, nature, Santa Elena, travel, writing | 22 Comments

Under the Volcano (Costa Rica #3)

Posted on September 10, 2021 by rivertoprambles

It was a long tedious drive north from Corcovado and the Osa Peninsula to Guanacaste Province and volcano country. We broke from the Pacific palm plantations and an endless line of fruit and vegetable vendors at the “Crocodile Bridge,” walking … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Arenal Volcano, birding, conservation, Costa Rica, crocodile, hiking, national parks, rainforest, Rincon de la Viega, Tenario Nat'l Park, travel, volcano, writing | 18 Comments

Corcovado (Costa Rica #2)

Posted on September 2, 2021 by rivertoprambles

National Geographic once referred to Costa Rica’s first established national park as “the most biologically intense place on Earth in terms of biodiversity.” From our previous station at Los Quetzales, we were headed down the Cordillera mountain range toward the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Bahia Drake, biodiversity, birding, Corcovado, Costa Rica, hiking, monkeys, national parks, nature, Osa Peninsula, Pacific Ocean, Sierpe, travel, tropical wildlife | 12 Comments

Los Quetzales (Costa Rica #1)

Posted on August 27, 2021 by rivertoprambles

To its everlasting credit, the small nation of Costa Rica constitutionally abolished a standing military force in 1948 and pursued the goals of better education, healthcare and democracy. Progressive social and environmental programs are a hallmark of the current day, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged birding, Costa Rica #1, family, hiking, Los Quetzales, mountains, nature, Quetzal, Rio Savagre, travel | 20 Comments

Stepping in the Same Stream Twice

Posted on July 15, 2021 by rivertoprambles

A day-long rain cancels my intended visit to the upper Sinnemahoning. Disappointment has me dreaming– oh, those might-have-been trout! Those wild browns upstream of Costello, those speckled natives of the East Fork pools! Some old moderns like myself get sidetracked … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged birding, daydreams, fishing, hummingbird, nature, philosophy, photography, Sinnemahoning, smallmouth bass, South Bend, warbler, whip-poor-will, writing | 14 Comments